Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of activating an electronic module, comprising: sensing, by an activation system, an interaction between an electronic module and a module securing element of a piece of athletic equipment at a first orientation, wherein the electronic module comprises a sensor that senses one or more characteristics associated with use of the piece of athletic equipment; and activating the electronic module or at least a first function of the electronic module in response to the sensed interaction.
An electronic module attached to athletic equipment activates based on its physical connection. A sensor in the module detects characteristics like speed or heart rate during use. The module contains a sensor to monitor athletic performance. When the module is properly connected to a designated securing element on the equipment in a specific orientation, an activation system senses this interaction and turns on the module or starts one of its functions.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the piece of athletic equipment includes at least a first portion of an activation system for activating the electronic module or the first function of the electronic module.
This activation system described above, where the athletic equipment has its own built-in activation components. Specifically, the equipment contains part of the activation system that is needed to turn on the electronic module or a function of the electronic module when properly connected.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the activating takes place in response to output from a magnetic sensor system.
This activation system described above uses magnetic fields. Specifically, activation of the electronic module happens when a magnetic sensor system detects the correct magnetic field interaction or orientation, indicating proper attachment and enabling module functionality.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein a first portion of the magnetic sensor system is included with the piece of athletic equipment and a second portion of the magnetic sensor system is included with the electronic module.
In this magnetic activation system described above, the athletic equipment has part of the magnetic sensor, and the electronic module has the other part. Activation occurs when these two parts are brought together in the correct alignment, completing the magnetic sensing circuit and triggering the module to turn on.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: wirelessly receiving data into the electronic module when the electronic module is within a proximity relative to the module securing element.
In addition to activating the electronic module via physical connection, this system can also wirelessly send data to the module when it is close to the attachment point on the athletic equipment. This allows updating settings, calibrating sensors, or transmitting other information.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the data is wirelessly received, at least in part, via magnetic pulses.
This data transmission is carried out using magnetic pulses, a specific wireless method. Thus, the electronic module wirelessly receives data through magnetic pulses when near the attachment point, in addition to the physical activation method.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: in response to detecting that the electronic module is engaged with the module securing element, sensing, by the sensor of the electronic module, at least one physiological characteristic associated with use of the piece of athletic equipment.
Once the electronic module is physically connected to the athletic equipment's securing element, the module begins sensing the user's physiological data related to the athletic activity. This means the act of connecting the module triggers both its activation and the start of data collection via its sensors.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: deactivating the electronic module or at least the first function of the electronic module when the electronic module is determined to be engaged with the module securing element in a second orientation.
The electronic module or at least one of its functions can be deactivated when the module is attached to the athletic equipment in an incorrect orientation. This prevents accidental or unauthorized use and ensures the module only operates when properly connected.
9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: disabling a second function of the electronic module when the electronic module is determined to be engaged with the module securing element in a second orientation.
In addition to turning off the entire electronic module, this system can selectively disable specific functions of the module if it is attached incorrectly. Thus, a secondary function of the electronic module is disabled when improperly connected, providing granular control over module functionality.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: maintaining the module or at least the first function of the module in an inactive state when the module is determined to be engaged with the module securing element in an orientation other than the first orientation.
When the electronic module is connected to the athletic equipment in any orientation other than the correct one, the module stays off, or at least its primary function remains inactive. This guarantees the module only works when properly attached and oriented.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: deactivating the module or at least the first function of the module when the module and the piece of athletic equipment are determined to be not authorized for operation with one another.
If the electronic module is not authorized for use with a particular piece of athletic equipment, the module, or at least its primary function, will not activate, even if physically connected. This provides a security or compatibility check to ensure the module is used with the correct equipment.
12. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: maintaining the module or at least the first function of the module in an inactive state when the module and the piece of athletic equipment are determined to be not authorized for operation with one another.
If the electronic module is not authorized for use with a specific piece of athletic equipment, the module stays inactive. This ensures that only authorized combinations of modules and equipment will operate.
13. A computer readable medium storing executable instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus at least to: sense an interaction between an electronic module and a module securing element of a piece of athletic equipment at a first orientation, wherein the electronic module comprises a sensor that senses one or more characteristics associated with use of the piece of athletic equipment; and activate the electronic module or at least a first function of the electronic module in response to the sensed interaction.
A software program on a computer, when executed, controls an electronic module attached to athletic equipment. The software senses when the module is correctly attached to the equipment in a specific orientation. The module contains a sensor to monitor athletic performance. Once the correct connection is detected, the software activates the electronic module or one of its functions.
14. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the piece of athletic equipment includes at least a first portion of an activation system that activates the electronic module or at least the first function of the electronic module.
This software described above also interfaces with activation components that are built into the athletic equipment itself. Specifically, the athletic equipment also contains some parts that, in concert with the software, activate the electronic module or one of its functions.
15. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: wirelessly receive data into the electronic module when the electronic module is within a proximity relative to the module securing element.
In addition to controlling activation based on physical connection, this software also allows for wireless data transfer to the electronic module when it is close to the attachment point on the athletic equipment.
16. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: in response to detecting that the electronic module is engaged with the module securing element, sense, with the sensor of the electronic module, at least one physiological characteristic associated with use of the piece of athletic equipment.
Once the software detects the electronic module is physically connected to the athletic equipment's securing element, the software begins taking physiological measurements related to the athletic activity using a sensor that is on the electronic module.
17. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: deactivate the electronic module or at least the first function of the electronic module when the electronic module is determined to be engaged with the module securing element in a second orientation.
The software can also deactivate the electronic module or at least one of its functions if the module is attached to the athletic equipment in the wrong orientation.
18. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: maintaining the module or at least the first function of the module in an inactive state when the module is determined to be engaged with the module securing element in an orientation other than the first orientation.
When using the software, if the electronic module is connected to the athletic equipment in any orientation other than the correct one, the module will stay off, or at least its primary function will remain inactive.
19. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: deactivate the module or at least the first function of the module when the module and the piece of athletic equipment are determined to be not authorized for operation with one another.
If the software determines the electronic module is not authorized for use with a particular piece of athletic equipment, the module will not activate, even if physically connected.
20. The computer readable medium recited in claim 13 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to: maintain the module or at least the first function of the module in an inactive state when the module and the piece of athletic equipment are determined to be not authorized for operation with one another.
If the software determines the electronic module is not authorized for use with a specific piece of athletic equipment, the software ensures the module stays inactive.
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December 19, 2017
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